Clearly, while the Australian Federal Police were keen to keep things in perspective on Tuesday, reading between the lines something has developed.

Events in Canada and Paris this year where police officers have been killed by terrorists and attacks much closer to home on police in Melbourne by  a young man carrying an  Islamic State flag in September last year show their is cause for concern.

Victoria Police acting chief commissioner Tim Cartwright has written to all police officers, protective services officers and police public servants warning them to ''be vigilant''.

It's appalling people dedicated to keeping our community safe should be forced to work under such threat.

One of the heartening things that did come out of the comment surrounding this development on Tuesday was that police in Bendigo and across the nation are well trained and that would stand them in good stead.

They should also know they have the support of the vast majority of the community.